The Powder Toy

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,072 reviews
  • gameplay
  • humor
  • graphics
The Powder Toy Game Cover
View game
Get on Steam

Unleash your inner scientist - and maybe a little chaos - with The Powder Toy! This free particle physics sandbox lets you experiment with hundreds of elements, from fiery explosives to intricate electronics. Simulate real-world phenomena like air pressure, heat, and gravity to create: •High-Powered Explosions: Blow things up in spectacular fashion with meticulously crafted bombs, triggered on y…

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,072 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
grinding1 negative mentions
  • The Powder Toy is a nostalgic classic that allows for endless creativity and experimentation with various elements.
  • It's a free game that runs well on low-end PCs, making it accessible to a wide audience.
  • The game features a strong community with user-generated content, allowing players to share and explore unique creations.
  • The learning curve can be steep for new players, as there are no tutorials and the controls can be complex.
  • Some players have reported performance issues and bugs, especially when running complex simulations.
  • The graphics are outdated and may not appeal to those accustomed to modern game visuals.
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its intuitive design and depth, featuring complex scientific and physical mechanics that allow for creative experimentation and destruction. While some advanced elements may take time to master, the game offers a rich experience with numerous interactions and community-driven content, making it both engaging and entertaining for players of varying skill levels. Overall, it combines simplicity with depth, appealing to both casual and dedicated gamers.

    • “Very intuitive gameplay.”
    • “While in some ways it can be humble in presentation, it is extremely in-depth with scientific and physical mechanics, chemical reactions, or if you want, just fun ways to blow up other people's creations!”
    • “For me, the countless element interactions and complex circuit mechanics have entertained me for hundreds of hours.”
    • “Some advanced mechanics, like logic gates or reactors, may require time to master.”
    • “It had a measly ~10 elements and had extremely simple mechanics.”
    • “While in some ways it can be humble in presentation, it is extremely in depth with scientific and physical mechanics, chemical reactions, or if you want, just fun ways to blow up other people's creations!”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurd and playful elements, such as creating explosive devices and engaging in silly experiments. Players appreciate the comedic aspects of the gameplay, often reminiscing about funny moments and interactions, making it a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Overall, the game is seen as a humorous sandbox that encourages creativity and laughter.

    • “Hehe funny free sandbox, used to play this all the time before it was put on Steam.”
    • “This is a massive win, even though all I'm capable of making is a funny looking titanium sphere with a deuterium reactor on the inside.”
    • “Unexpected and of course made my day when I saw it on Steam... I can't remember how many hours I spent creating useless and funny experiments using Skype talking to a friend I'm still close with, back when there were only a few elements available in-game.”
  • graphics13 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews; while some players praise its beautiful visuals and creative potential, others criticize its outdated pixel art style, which may feel simplistic compared to modern standards. Despite the retro aesthetics, many find the graphics engaging and integral to the overall experience, though there are calls for updates to enhance visual quality.

    • “Game of the year, story-rich, best soundtrack, best visuals, best everything.”
    • “While its steep learning curve and retro visuals may deter some players, those who stick with it will find a deeply engaging experience.”
    • “Pretty good game, graphics are beautiful, recommend.”
    • “Outdated graphics.”
    • “Tpt’s pixel art graphics may feel simplistic compared to modern games.”
    • “It would be cool if it was updated to run cleaner and maybe update the graphics a bit.”
  • story6 mentions

    The reviews highlight a strong appreciation for the game's overall quality, including its visuals and soundtrack, but some users note a lack of a substantial story, with one even humorously recounting an experience of playing it in class.

    • “Game of the year, story-rich, best soundtrack, best visuals, best everything.”
    • “No story.”
    • “No story.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is noted for its excellent optimization, particularly in its physics engine, which performs smoothly without significant limitations.

    • “The game features very well optimized physics, enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “The performance limitations are minimal, allowing for smooth gameplay.”
    • “The optimization of the game is impressive, ensuring a seamless experience.”
    • “The game suffers from severe performance limitations, making it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
    • “I constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, which ruins the overall gaming experience.”
    • “Despite having a high-end PC, the optimization is so poor that I can't maintain a stable frame rate.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, often likening it to needing a second life to manage the demands.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game features a completely free monetization model, with no microtransactions, downloadable content (DLC), or in-game purchases, providing a straightforward and uninterrupted gaming experience.

    • “No microtransactions, no DLC, nothing.”
    • “It has no in-game purchases.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers highlighting it as the best soundtrack of the year, complementing the story and visuals to create an immersive experience.

    • “Game of the year, story-rich, best soundtrack, best visuals, best everything.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing every moment and making the experience unforgettable.”
    • “Each track is a masterpiece, adding depth and emotion to the game's narrative.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players highlight that advanced users can enhance replayability through mods or scripts, which unlock additional elements and features, allowing for an almost limitless gaming experience.

    • “Advanced users can use mods or scripts to unlock even more elements or features, making the game endlessly replayable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players find the game to be a heartwarming experience, ranking it among the most emotionally impactful surprises they've encountered on Steam.

    • “This game and Toribash are the most heartwarming surprises I had when they came to Steam.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy The Powder Toy

Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
10-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games